From elusive forest dwellers and vivid birdlife to some of Victoria’s most important conservation stories, a new publication from Tourism East is encouraging visitors to slow down, look closer and discover the remarkable wildlife of the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and surrounding region.Feather & Forest: Wildlife of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges is the third publication in Tourism East’s series of books designed to inspire deeper exploration of the region’s natural beauty, landscapes and visitor experiences.Blending wildlife photography with practical information and rich storytelling, the 128-page guide introduces readers to the native animals, birds and habitats found across the region. It also explores wildlife rehabilitation, conservation programs, ethical birdwatching, responsible wildlife spotting and ways the community can help protect local species.Created to help visitors appreciate not only the diversity of the region’s wildlife but also the importance of experiencing it responsibly. It features some of Victoria’s most treasured species, including the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum, along with the Eltham Copper Butterfly and a broad catalogue of birds, mammals, reptiles and other wildlife visitors may encounter.It highlights the region’s conservation and rehabilitation work, from threatened-species recovery programs to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre and specialist rehabilitation facilities at Healesville Sanctuary. The book includes a regional map highlighting 25 parks, reserves and natural areas, including Bunyip State Park, Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Yarra Ranges National Park, Cardinia Creek and Liwik Barring Yellingbo State Wildlife Reserve.It also explains how residents, visitors, and landholders can get involved in conservation through native planting, nest-box programs, Landcare and ’Friends of’ groups, citizen-science projects, and wildlife monitoring.
